How to make bedding for hen who sleeps on the floor?

[CAWvid]

My hen Sneeze is to old to roost. I've had a hard time finding a good beding solutions though. She needs to sleep on somthing soft or she gets blisters. The vet told me to use wood chips, well Sneeze HATES woodships I found. When she found them in to coop she made anxios clucks and chose to sleep out side. I thought she just needed to get used to them so put her in for a few weeks. She still tried to sleep outside, even in the rain. So I looked it up and there is evidence pine shavings are toxic. This seems to suport that and either way, I didn't want to keep forceing her to sleep in it since she clarely doesn't want to. I can't find any other types of wood shavings.

For a while I was puting a pillow in an old feed bag but it still ended up getting wet eventually so thats not going to work long term.
Hay is softer than straight on the floor but it quickly compacts and becomes quite hard so I idealy would like somthing better.

Please, has anyone found a good long term solution to this sort of issue?

 

[3KillerBs]

First thing, the whole "pine shavings are toxic" thing is promoted by people trying to sell other sorts of bedding. If they were actually toxic they would be discontinued because so many people would have sued the providers that they couldn't make a profit.

This is a problem that's probably not going to have an easy solution, but if she's willing to sleep on fluffy straw or hay you might have to make a point of fluffing it regularly.

 

[Toryhillc]

My hen Sneeze is to old to roost. I've had a hard time finding a good beding solutions though. She needs to sleep on somthing soft or she gets blisters. The vet told me to use wood chips, well Sneeze HATES woodships I found. When she found them in to coop she made anxios clucks and chose to sleep out side. I thought she just needed to get used to them so put her in for a few weeks. She still tried to sleep outside, even in the rain. So I looked it up and there is evidence pine shavings are toxic. This seems to suport that and either way, I didn't want to keep forceing her to sleep in it since she clarely doesn't want to. I can't find any other types of wood shavings.

For a while I was puting a pillow in an old feed bag but it still ended up getting wet eventually so thats not going to work long term.
Hay is softer than straight on the floor but it quickly compacts and becomes quite hard so I idealy would like somthing better.

Please, has anyone found a good long term solution to this sort of issue?

Coco coir. Comes in blocks. Ya wet it down to soften it. I use a wheel barrow for this. Then ya let it dry out. If its a sunny day spread it on a tarp. Makes great bedding, nice and soft and absorbs water well so great for water spills. I use in the run too especially for the ducks as the run does not get mucky and ya can turn it over to keep smells down. You can always rinse it out in a wheel barrow and reuse in the summer as well.

 

[Boise-girls]

You might try getting some nest liners like these. I think there are ten in a package. You could put one in a low box, maybe with straw underneath for extra cushioning. They're designed to stay put and aren't supposed to get wet as much as straw and hay. I use them in my nest box, seem okay and a little tidier than some other options.

 

[bruceha2000]

Is she not roosting on the roost bar because she can't get there or because she no longer had enough balance to stay there? If the former, can you build her a ramp so she can walk up?

If that is not the case I would try a pile of hay.

 

[saysfaa]

Coffee grounds. Our closest TSC had them last spring but doesn't now. They may still be able to order them. Or you can save your own if you drink coffee. Some people get them from coffee shops or restaurants.

Maple leaves if you live far enough north or cotton hulls if you live far enough south.

 

[Windrider]

How about a piece of artificial turf? My Home Depot was giving out samples and I got a 12x12 inch piece that was really plush. It could be washed if it gets pooped on.

 

[CAWvid]

First thing, the whole "pine shavings are toxic" thing is promoted by people trying to sell other sorts of bedding. If they were actually toxic they would be discontinued because so many people would have sued the providers that they couldn't make a profit.

This is a problem that's probably not going to have an easy solution, but if she's willing to sleep on fluffy straw or hay you might have to make a point of fluffing it regularly.

I'll keep that in mine for future chooks. If none of these other options work then I'll have to keep fluffing the hay like you say. Thanks

 

[CAWvid]

Coco coir. Comes in blocks. Ya wet it down to soften it. I use a wheel barrow for this. Then ya let it dry out. If its a sunny day spread it on a tarp. Makes great bedding, nice and soft and absorbs water well so great for water spills. I use in the run too especially for the ducks as the run does not get mucky and ya can turn it over to keep smells down. You can always rinse it out in a wheel barrow and reuse in the summer as well.

That sounds really good, I'll look into it. Thank you

 

[CAWvid]

You might try getting some nest liners like these. I think there are ten in a package. You could put one in a low box, maybe with straw underneath for extra cushioning. They're designed to stay put and aren't supposed to get wet as much as straw and hay. I use them in my nest box, seem okay and a little tidier than some other options.

Cool, those look good. Thank you